Big Wins for Art and Design at National Safety Competition

Students from the Department of Art and Design made an impressive showing at the 2026 Designs for Safety Competition, held on April 2, 2026, in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The annual competition, presented by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association in partnership with the World Traffic Safety Symposium and the National Road Safety Foundation, challenges students to design autonomous vehicle concepts that prioritize safety through innovative, human centered thinking. With nearly 40,000 lives lost each year on American roads, the competition asks emerging designers to imagine solutions that could meaningfully reduce traffic fatalities and reshape the future of transportation.

Montclair State University students rose to the challenge, earning multiple top awards against a competitive field of design students. Under the leadership of Denis Feigler, Director of the Product Design Program, they were mentored and prepared to compete at a national level, contributing to these outstanding results.

First place was awarded to Pin-Chun Hsieh, whose concept stood out for its innovation, thoughtful design, and strong potential to improve road safety. Second place went to George McComas, followed by Bethany Maydole, who earned third place. In addition, Julian Henin, collaborating with Raphael Singh, received fifth place recognition.

Student proposals were evaluated by a panel of industry and safety experts, with projects judged on originality, aesthetics, overall presentation, and their potential to save lives. Each submission included both a detailed rendering and a three dimensional model, allowing students to fully realize and communicate their ideas.

In addition to national recognition, winners received scholarship awards as part of a prize pool exceeding ten thousand dollars, further supporting their continued education and creative development.

This achievement highlights the strength of Montclair State University’s Art and Design students and their ability to engage with real world challenges through creative practice. By combining design innovation with social impact, these students are contributing to important conversations around safety, technology, and the future of mobility.